2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 Review by Carey Russ +VIDEO

2012 Mercedes-Benz
SLK350

An elegant, graceful well-integrated bit of machinery

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS

The third generation of Mercedes-Benz's SLK-Class sports car is
here, with significant changes. Most apparently, where its immediate
predecessor celebrated Mercedes-Benz's involvement in motorsports with
Formula One-inspired front styling, the 2012 edition takes a nod to the
company's considerable heritage with, in company with the premium SL-Series
and AMG SLS supercar, styling cues that go back to the 300SL and 190 SL of
the 1950s.

But that's outside. Note that there is nothing even remotely
"retro" to the newest SLK except those styling cues. Today, the SLK may be
to the SL as the 190 was to the 300 fifty-plus years ago. But both are far
more advanced, comfortable, well-appointed, and quicker than their
illustrious forebears. In any sort of comparison, a 2012 SLK350 will be at
least the equal of or better than the legendary mid-50s 300SL "Gullwing",
never mind the 190 - nearly 60 years of engineering, materials science, and
electronic technology will see to that.

The SLK was an immediate success when it debuted here in
1998, offering mid-level sports performance from a 180-horsepower 2.3-liter
supercharged engine in a stylish package with a retractable convertible
hardtop. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if it seems now
that hardtop convertibles outnumber soft-tops, the trend started here.

The original SLK was sprightly and nimble, and power was
increased with the availability of a 3.2-liter, 215-hp V6 later. Partway
through the second generation came a 3.5-liter twincam V6, providing more
serious performance. The third-generation SLK350 also has a 3.5-liter V6,
but it's a completely new engine. Direct fuel injection and multi-spark
ignition give it not only more power -- as in 302 horses worth -- but
better fuel economy and lower emissions. The seven-speed multi-mode
automatic transmission has also been massaged for smoother and more
efficient operation.

2012 Mercedes-Benz
SLK350

It's still compact outside, a plus on a tight road or when
parking, but there's a surprising amount of room inside, and the folding
top converts from coupe to roadster or back in about 20 seconds. Despite
its performance potential, the SLK is a luxury sports-tourer at heart, with
plenty of room in the trunk, even top-down, for a long weekend for two and
the comfort to make that trip as long as desired.

I've just finished a Fall week with a 2012 SLK350 that was
perfect for discovering the car's year-round potential. One day it was 90
degrees - top up and AC on, works quickly thank you very much! Then a
perfect 75, top down, AIRSCARF neck heat and seat heaters as the sun went
down, life is good. Then 60 and the first rain of the season. No problem,
snug, warm, and dry inside. If I was a bit nonplussed by the performance at
first, with the transmission mode selector in default "E" (for economy),
changing it to "S" (sport) or manually shifting unlocked its inner beast.
And with E for normal traffic, I still saw a 21-mpg average.

Watch TACH's promo video of the new SLK

APPEARANCE: It's been a while since Mercedes-Benzes were
known as conservatively-styled "doctor's cars". The SLK is anything but
conservative, and almost as exciting to look at as to drive. Yes, it pays
serious homage to its illustrious ancestors -- if you've got heritage, why
not celebrate it? -- but there is nothing old-fashioned about it. The twin
"power domes" on the hood and wide, low air intake with a single crossbar
and the three-pointed star logo harken back to the SLs of the `50s in basic
concept, but are more stylized here. The HID headlight clusters with LED
running lights are definably contemporary. Top-up or -down, it's athletic
without being muscle-bound, with classic proportions and taut lines. The
roof top panel is solid in standard trim, but a fixed-tint "Panorama Roof"
or "Magic Sky Control" variable-tint roof panel is offered. My test car had
the Panorama Roof, which gave a pleasant airy feel without wind. Or
sunburn. The Sport Package includes AMG panels for the front air dam, side
sills, and rear apron, and AMG 18-inch forged alloy wheels.

COMFORT: Spoken here. Being the entry-level Mercedes-Benz
sports car is no reason to skip on the comforts and conveniences that have
given the brand its deserved reputation.

2012 Mercedes-Benz
SLK350

There's more space inside that
would be expected given the small exterior footprint. It's as much touring
as sport, with excellent power-adjustable seats that are bolstered enough
for side support during enthusiastic driving but not so much as to impede
access. Adjustment is simple, by the iconic switches on the doors that are
a Mercedes-Benz hallmark. The "Premium 1 Package" gets you heated seats,
and even better in cool weather, "Airscarf" heater vents at the back of
your neck. The leather-wrapped tilt- and telescope-adjustable steering
wheel has control switches for information and audio systems, and a flat
bottom for a racecar look and a little extra clearance above the driver's
legs. Instrumentation and controls are mostly intuitive, with the notable
and expected exception of the Mercedes cruise control lever on the left of
the steering column - you will mistake it for the turn signal (below it) at
least once. The COMAND integrated systems control has been refined for more
intuitive operation, and if fitted controls audio, navigation, and phone
systems only. Climate controls are analog and at the bottom of the stack.
Audio choices with the Premium 1 Package and Multimedia Package in my test
car are comprehensive, with AM, FM, and Sirius satellite radio, CD, and an
iPod, USB port, and jack and power point in the console. The top operates
quickly and simply via a lever on the console. The glovebox locks; the
console box doesn't. If you're short enough, there might a bit of storage
behind the seats. The trunk is big enough for a couple of roll-aboard bags,
with an inflatable spare tire underneath. This is a car that is well-suited
to go as far as you want, on any sort of road. The more scenic, the better.

SAFETY: As ever, safety is not compromised by the SLK's
convertible body. Twin roll bars are behind the seats, and extra-strong
windshield pillars add further protection. As does safety-cage and crumple
zone construction, one of many Mercedes-Benz innovations long ago and
widely copied. There are eight airbags, frontal, knee, side torso and head
for both passengers. The "Attention Assist" system uses a steering sensor
and special software to identify the sort of erratic steering inputs made
by a drowsy driver. If detected, a warning message is given. Strong
four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Brake Assist and adaptive braking are
further enhanced by the ESP stability control system.

RIDE AND HANDLING: It may have all of the comfort of a luxury
car, but the 2012 SLK is a sports car at heart. Its unibody structure has
increased torsional and bending strength compared to the previous
generation, and its MacPherson strut front, multilink rear suspension makes
intensive use of aluminum to reduce unsprung weight and so quicken
suspension and handling response. Sprung weight is reduced by use of
aluminum for the front fenders and hood. The standard suspension
calibration is appropriately firm, but never harsh, and steering effort is
appropriate for the mission of the car. The result is a driver's car that
is a true joy to drive hard -- and it's just as happy cruising slowly
through city traffic. For those with a desire for more high-tech ability,
the Dynamic Handling Package includes continuously-controllable multi-mode
electronic suspension and torque-vectoring braking.

PERFORMANCE: The SLK may be the "baby" of the current
Mercedes-Benz sports car lineup, but that doesn't mean it's slow. Compared
to the AMG SLS, maybe -- but then what isn't? Compare, instead, to a 1955
300SL Gullwing, a car that was as close as possible in its day to a
street-legal pure racing car: 300SL - 2500 lbs, single overhead cam
3.0-liter inline-6 with 240 hp @ 6000 rpm, 0-60 in a touch over five
seconds, top speed 160 mph*. SLK350 -- 3400 lbs, dohc 3.5-liter V6 (with
variable cam phasing, something not possible in the distant past) with 302
hp @ 6500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque from 3500 through 5250 rpm. 0-60 in
5.4 seconds, top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
That says plenty about the SLK, and even more about the original SL. There
is one important bit of correspondence between the 300SL and the SLK350 --
direct fuel injection. That has been the norm in diesel engines since the
beginning, but the racing 300SL and the road car evolved from that were
among the first to use it with spark ignition. That was mechanical, complex
and expensive. Now it's electronically-controlled, integrated into the
engine management computer. The result is specific power output reached
only by pure racing engines of the 300SL's day and low emissions and
reasonable fuel economy. EPA rating is 20/29; I got 21 overall. Compare
that with the 300SL's 9/15 and don't mention the exhaust emissions.
A major component of the SLK's performance and economy is the seven-speed
automatic transmission. Lower low gear ratios, higher high, and closer
steps between allow both acceleration and economical highway cruising.
Default E(conomy) mode emphasizes economy, S(port) increases the shift
points, and adaptive shift logic in both allows the transmission software
to learn the driver's style. For maximum performance, manual mode offers
quick paddle-actuated shifting. There's plenty of torque at low revs, all
the better to loaf around town or on the highway. But the engine really
comes alive, with six-cylinder music and a great push, as it's revved.
* from "Sports Cars in Action" by John R. Bond, Henry Holt & Co, 1954

CONCLUSIONS: The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SKL350 combines
elegance and grace with plenty of raw power when wanted. But it doesn't
have a split personality at all, it's a well-integrated bit of
machinery.